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Blessing the Mothers Among Us

Writer's picture: Guy CohenGuy Cohen

Updated: Oct 18, 2021


In Jewish households around the world, there is a tradition on Friday evening as families welcome in the Shabbat after lighting the candles. The father speaks a blessing over his sons, daughters and wife. The blessing often involves reading Proverbs 31:10-31 in praise of the virtuous wife. This is also a way of showing appreciation to the mothers who have spent the day cooking and cleaning in preparation for the Shabbat meal and the following day of rest.


Lydia in Acts 16:11-15, 40 was a Proverbs 31 woman, in spite of living in a culture where women had few rights. After she and her household accepted Yeshua as their Messiah and were baptized, she opened her home to Paul and Silas. This welcoming did not end there but continued after Paul and Silas were released from prison, a situation which took courage on her part. She was a true overcomer.


In this day and age, it is not easy to maintain a strong family, especially when our lifestyle and economy often require a woman to fulfill the responsibilities of home and family, work outside of the home and even study to improve her ability to contribute to the provision of her household. Somewhere, in all of this, the woman also needs to care for herself as well. This applies to mothers in all situations, including single moms.


In the spirit of the Shabbat blessing, I would like to share the following testimonial of a brave and determined woman from Akko, where our congregation and humanitarian aid center are located.


Hello, I am Hagit [pseudonym]:


I am the mother of two daughters, divorced after a decade of marriage in the shadow of severe economic, mental and physical violence. The first years after the divorce were devoted to our rehabilitation. We were gradually able to regain our trust in people and in the fact that our world is beautiful and good. Along the way I was helped by many who strengthened me and helped me begin to realize that I am capable of working and earning a decent living … and a better future for myself and my daughters.


One of the best tips I received was to enroll in academic studies. I did not know how … I would get tuition funding, how I could continue to support my family as a single mother, how I would over- come academic difficulties and many other concerns and doubts.


With the encouragement of my family and friends and also with the support of the social worker, I faced my fears and gained the courage to enroll in a program for a bachelor’s degree at the Western Galilee College … I had great hope and determination to succeed.

In addition to the tuition there are additional expenses such as a laptop computer, printer, textbooks, etc. I received assistance from a fund that helps single women. The fund covered most of the tuition for me and in return I was required to volunteer in the community.

I decided that I am not ashamed to get help from those around me. I enlisted the help of friends and family to care for my daughters. I enlisted the help of my classmates and tutors to help me to successfully complete my assignments. Friends have encouraged and supported me all along and stopped me from quitting school and giving up during times of difficulty and crisis.

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